try and save
all possible of her lading, there was something painful in the idea of
giving up their deliciously calm and peaceful life.

"I shall never get such shooting again," said the major. "But duty,
duty. 'Tention!"

"It has been a pleasant life," said Morgan thoughtfully. "I don't think
I could have recovered from that wound any where else so soon."

"Yes, it's pleasant," said Mr Gregory, "but one can't study oneself.
I've got a wife at home, who must think me dead."

"And I have someone waiting who is to be my wife," said Morgan, "and she
must think me dead."

The men could not hear these words, or several of them could have spoken
similarly; and somehow, in spite of the beauty of the place and the
abundance, with the sun shining constantly, England mentally seen from a
distance began to appear more and more attractive, and the time was
coming when the place would be wearisome.

One day, while they were still halting before making a start, the
captain wishing to make a few more additions to their vessel and then
take her on a trial trip before venturing with all on board so far, the
signal for starting came in a very unexpected manner.

David Jimpny, who had grown to be one of the strongest and healthiest
looking of the men there, proved still to be one of the most useless as
far as helping in matters nautical. But in anything relating to trips
inland he was invaluable. There was so much of the vagabond spirit in
him that he liked nothing better than being sent off inland to collect
palm tops or shoots for cooking like vegetables. These he would get and
bring into camp, and, what was more, try experiments on other promising
things. He would come back hot and scratched, but generally with an
eager look in his eyes as he had to announce the discovery of some
fruit-tree of which there was an abundance, but almost invariably hidden
in the depths of the jungle.

Off these trees he would bring in a splendid supply of fruit of strange
look, but often delicious quality, and nothing delighted Mark more than
a journey to one or other of these sylvan stores.

Upon this special day Mark had to take charge of the camp, for a rule
was made never to leave the ladies entirely alone. The island, as far
as they could make out, was uninhabited, the strange noises heard
occasionally being invariably attributed to the volcano; but there was
the possibility of danger coming from without, and it was considered
advi